‘The Stratford Upon Avon & Midland Junction Railway’ (or S.M.J.) was a small independent railway company which ran a line across the empty, untouched centre of England. It visited the counties of Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and a little of Buckinghamshire, only existing as the SMJ from 1909 to 1923. In 1923 the S.M.J.became a minor arm of the London Midland and Scottish (L.M.S.), then in 1948 'British Railways'

Gone but not forgotten: "the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth"

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Coaches used on SMJ 1948-1952

I was wondering if anybody could tell me what coaching stock was used on the SMJ between 1948-1952. I've started Building Byfield station building and managed to find basically what locos were used but coaches........? Can't seem to find…Continue

Started by Clive Aug 13.

Coaches used on SMJ 1948-1952

Started by Clive Aug 13.

The Campion Family: SMJ employees 5 Replies

I would be grateful if anyone can let me know if there are any registers, documents or other employee information that exists where I might be able to find out more about the following members of my family:1. Henry Campion 1830-1910 Lived in…Continue

Started by David Campion. Last reply by David Campion Jul 25.

lManning Wardle lcomotive MOROUS

Read in recent HERITAGE RAILWAY magazine that an original nameplate from this 1860's loco has been donated to the Colonel Stephens Museum. Interesting as apparently it started life as a contracter's loco building the E and WJR and then ran for…Continue

Started by ray w Jun 21.

SMJ photos

Article in the Meccano Magazine (Aug 1956) describing the SMJR Railtour

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Permalink Reply by alwyn sparrow on November 11, 2014 at 19:04

Souvenir of that trip.

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Permalink Reply by Dick Bodily on November 11, 2014 at 20:15

Robin

Great stuff!

There's a famous photo of the Claud at Kings Cross complete with SMJ headboard. It appeared in the 1958 Observer's Book of Railway Locomotives of Britain. I wonder why it was taken off at Hitchin as Clauds sometimes ran through to Bletchley and where frequently seen at Northampton Castle in the late 50s, was there a problem? Do you have the date of this magazine so that I can add it to the list of articles on the appropriate webpage?

Dick

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Permalink Reply by Robin Cullup on November 11, 2014 at 23:00

Thanks for this, Dick. The article is in the August 1956 edition of Meccano Magazine (page 402) - I've seen (got) many photographs of 43222 on this special, but I've not seen this particular view before.

Robin

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Permalink Reply by Gary on January 16, 2016 at 14:35

The station is Byfield isn't it?
Great bit of history.

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Permalink Reply by Robin Cullup on January 16, 2016 at 15:26

The station is indeed Byfield.

There must have been many hundreds of photos taken of 43222 and train on the SMJ on this Sunday. What is perhaps amazing to us today is that the special ran on a Sunday meaning that several signal boxes must have been opened specially for the train to pass - would the railways go to that trouble and expense today? I doubt it.